Iranian Forces Warn Opposition Not to Join Government-Backed Rally

Iran's elite security forces are warning opposition supporters not to hold anti-government demonstrations during a government-sponsored rally on Friday.

Opposition activists have called for protests coinciding with the Quds Day rallies, the annual event that expresses support for Palestinians and condemns Israel. Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has said he plans to attend and activists have encouraged people to capitalize on the large gatherings to protest the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

On Thursday, Iranian state media published a message from the elite Revolutionary Guards promising to crack down on any protests during the rallies.

Following Iran's disputed June 12 elections, rights groups said hundreds of people were detained in clashes with security forces during post-election, anti-government demonstrations. Since then, authorities have held public trials of the accused and tried to marginalize moderate officials within the government.